Earth boring apparatus

ABSTRACT

NECTED TO THE POWER OPERATED POSITIONING MEANS AND TO THE DRIVE MEANS FOR REGULATING THE TRAVEL SPEED OF THE PLATFORM ALONG THE FRAME AND FOR REGULATING THE ROTARY SPEED OF THE AUGER DRIVE SHAFT. AN EARTH BORING APPARATUS FOR BORING HOLES UNDER ROADWAYS AND THE LIKE AND INCLUDING A PLATFORM WHICH IS MOVABLE ALONG AN ELONGATED FRAME IN RESPONSE TO POWER OPERATED POSITIONING MEANS. AN AUGER DRIVE SHAFT IS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE PLATFORM AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO DRIVE MEANS FOR ROTATING THE AUGER DRIVE SHAFT. CONTROL MEANS ARE OPERTIVELY CON-

United States Patent [72] Inventor Emmet G. Slasher 2,588,068 3/1952 Williams et al. 175/122 igg #2, Box 118 A, 2,726,064 12/1955 Goodrich et a1. 175/122 Lexington, Mo. 64037) 2,946,567 7/1960 Pepper 175/122 [211 App]. No 849,051 3,071,199 1/1963 Richmond. 173/141 [22] Filed Aug. 11,1969 3,107,738 /1963 Osborn 173/159 [451 Patemed June 1971 Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink Aztomey- Fishburn, Gold and Litman [54] EARTH BORING APPARATUS 10 Chi 8D i F raw n8 5' ABSTRACT: An earth boring apparatus for boring holes [52] US. Cl 173/159, undelmadways and like and including a l f which is l75/122 movable along an elongated frame in response to power 1 Int. o grated ositioning means An auger drive haft is rotatably P P t Field of Search 173/ 141, mounted on the l f and operatively connected to drive 159; /122, 162 means for rotating the auger drive shaft. C0ntrol means are operatively connected to the power operated positioning [56] References Cited means and to the drive means for regulating the travel speed UNITED STATES PATENTS of the platform along the frame and for regulating the rotary 2,122,099 6/1938 Jeffrey 175/162 speed of the auger drive shaft.

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k 54 1, f o I a ll] o I 19-- 1 6 a l 69 73 y 74 35 Q o 4 as zo 88 l9 5 6 a6 n 45 .i. .W o 5 n 81 Q e A 1 fi I i 84' n 1L 3' I I'll PATENTEU JUH28 197:

SHEET 1 OF 5 INVENTOR. fmmev G. S/usher M4 wflim JAM ATTORNEYS SHEET 3 OF 5 OOOOOOOOOOO INVENTOR. Emmef G. S/usher BY aim M PM ATTORNEYS oooo oopoo PATENTEU JUN28 m?! PATENTEU JUH28 |97| SHEET 5 UF 5 INVENTOR. Emmef G. S/usher BY M? ATTORNEYS EARTH BORING APPARATUS The present invention relates to earth boring apparatus and more particularly to earth boring apparatus having controlled longitudinal movement along an elongated frame while bormg.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide an earth boring apparatus particularly adapted for boring substantially horizontal holes under roadways and the like in which the auger carrier and drive apparatus are movable along a base frame as the hole is bored; to provide such an earth boring apparatus having substantially no kinetic energy to be dissipated in the event of auger locks; to provide such an earth boring apparatus having a low center of gravity thereby being stable during use; to provide such an earth boring apparatus.

having controls therefor positioned within easy reach for an operator, preferably on an upper surface of the boring apparatus; to provide such a boring apparatus having multiple speed drive means operatively connected to an auger drive shaft wherein a reduction in auger speed reduces horsepower requirements and the multiple speed drive means provides auger speeds adaptable to a wide range of boring conditions; to provide such an earth boring apparatus in which the feed force acts between the bore frame and auger drive structure to apply drilling pressure on the auger and move same into the hole as it is bored; to provide such a structure wherein the auger carrier moves the length of auger section and is then retracted for addition of another section for boring long holes; to provide such an earth boring apparatus which is stable and safe for operating personnel to connect and disconnect augers; and to provide such an earth boring apparatus which is economical to manufacture, easily maintained, simple in operation, positive and efficient in operation, and particularly well suited for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way ofillustration and example certain embodiments of this inventron.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of one side of an earth boring apparatus embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the other side of the earth boring apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the earth boring apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the earth boring apparatus taken on line 4-4, FIG. 1, showing mechanical drive means for rotating an auger drive shaft.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view ofa support frame and platform movable therealong.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial section of view through the base frame and auger feed structure.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a hydraulic system for the earth boring apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified earth boring apparatus which is manually movable along a support frame.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates an elongated frame adapted to be supported on a ground surface 2 and having a platform 3 movably mounted on said frame. A horizontal earth boring apparatus 4 is carried on the platform 3 whereby when the platform 3' is moved along the frame I in the direction ofa hole to be bored by a feed apparatus 5 a boring auger 6 is moved into material to be bored, such as under a street or structure foundation.

The elongated frame 1 has a pair of elongated guide rails 7 and 8 transversely spaced and substantially parallel with end members 9 and 10' extending between and connected to opposite ends of the guide rails 7 and 8 respectively to thereby form a substantially rigid frame structure for supporting the platform 3 and earth boring apparatus 4.

The guide rails 7 and 8 are preferably formed of structural members, such as angles, channels or the like, having a leg or flange 11 positioned substantially parallel with the ground surface 2 thereby supporting wheels 3 rotatably mounted on the platform 3. The flange or leg ll of each rail 7 and 8 has a plurality of openings or apertures 12 extending therethrough and spaced longitudinally therealong with the openings or apertures 12 of one rail being transversely aligned with the openings in the other to form a plurality of transversely aligned pairs of apertures 12 for cooperation with feed apparatus 5 in moving and positioning the platform 3 and horizontal earth boring apparatus 4 along the frame 1, as later described.

It is desirable to provide means for holding the frame 1 in firm contact with the ground surface 2, therefore, hold down or stake down portions 13 are provided at opposite ends of each of the end members 9 and 10 and each of the opposite ends of the end members 9 and 10 have an aperture 14 extending therethrough to receive a suitable anchor, such as a stake l5 driven into the ground surface 2.

The feed apparatus 5 includes power means 16 to move the earth boring apparatus 4 along the frame 1 and, in the illustrated structure, the power means 16 includes one or more extensible members or hydraulic rams l7; and, in the illustrated structure, there are two such rams and each has a hydraulic cylinder 18 and piston rod 19 extendible from one end thereof. A free end 20 of each rod 19 is connected to the platform 3 for moving same along the frame 1 when the cylinders 18 are held in position relative to the frame 1.

Detent means 21 is connected with the hydraulic cylinders 18 and engageable within a respective aligned pair of apertures 12 through the guide rails 7 and 8 for holding the cylinders 18 while the piston rods 19 move the platform 3 along the frame I. In the illustrated structure, the detent means 21 include an elongated rod 22 having opposite ends rotatably mounted in supports 23 and 24 positioned above the guide rails 7 and 8 respectively.

Detent linkages 26 and 27 are mounted on each rod 22 and positioned above the guide rails 7 and 8 respectively. The detent linkages 26 and 27 are adapted to be moved into and out of a respective pair of the transversely aligned apertures 12 to hold or release respectively cylinders 18. An elongated tie member 28 extends between the supports 23 and 24 and has opposite ends suitably secured thereto and the tie member 28 is suitably secured to the cylinders 18 intermediate their ends, as by sleeves 29 being welded to exterior surface of the cylinders l8 and to the tie member 28, whereby the detent means 21 may be moved as a unit along the guide rails 7 and 8 of the frame 1. When the platform 3 is in a selected position, the detent linkages 26 and 27 are firmly seated in a pair of apertures 12 in the guide rails 7 and 8 to hold the cylinders 18in position as the platform 3 is moved by the rods 19.

A suitable conventional drive engine 30 is mounted on the platform 3 and is operative to extend and retract the piston rods 19 and to rotate the boring auger 6 through hydraulic means including a pair of pumps 31 and 32, each having a different output flow rate, as for example, pump 31 having an output flow rate of 6 g.p.m. and pump 32 having an output flow rate of 3 g.p.m. A suitable coupling 33 connects the drive engine 30 to the pumps 31 and 32 for moving fluid from a hydraulic reservoir 34 through a suitable filter or strainer 35 to the pumps 31 and 32.

An outlet conduit 36 connects the 3 g.p.m. pump 32 with a variable flow regulator-valve 37 which is operative to control the speed of movement of the piston rods 19 relative to the cylinders 18. The outlet conduit 36 is connected to an in port 38 of the variable flow regulator valve 37 and the valve 37 is operative to bypass a portion of the output of the pump 32 through an excess flow port 39 with the bypassed portion of the output from the pump 32 varying from zero to substantially all of said output.

When less than all the output is bypassed through the excess flow port 39, the remainder passes through a regulated flow port 40 and through a conduit 41 to a positioning or power feed control valve 42 with the control valve 42 being operativcly connected to the extensible members of the power means 16 for moving the platform 3 along the frame 1. The selected portion of the output from the pump 32 enters the positioning or power feed control valve 42 through an in port 43 and the control valve 42 is preferably a four-way, open center, three-position control valve which controls the direction of movement of the piston rods 19 relative to the cylinders 18. Conduits 44 and 45 extend from cylinder ports 46 and 47 respectively of the feed control valve 42 and are connected to opposite ends of the cylinders 18 respectively,

' whereby the regulator valve 37 controls the speed of movement of the piston rods 19 relative to the cylinders 18 and the feed control valve 42 controls the direction of movement of the piston rods 19 relative to the respective hydraulic cylinders 18. I

A conduit 48 connects an out port 49 of the control valve 42 with one cylinder port 50 of a three-volume selector valve 51, as later described. The excess or bypassed flow from the regulator valve 37 is recombined with the selected flow at a tee connection 52 in the conduit 48 between the feed control valve 42 and the selector valve 51, whereby the entire output of the pump 32 is delivered to the one cylinder port 50 of the selector valve 51. Output from the other (6 g.p.m.) pump 31 is connected to an other cylinder port 53 of the selector valve 51 by a conduit 54.

The selector valve 51 is a four-way, three-position, motoring spool valve closed center, which is operative to receive two different volume flows to the cylinders ports 50 and 53 thereof and using an out port 55 thereof for power and an in port 56 for a bypass to the reservoir 34 through a bypass conduit 57.

The selector valve 51 has a neutral position wherein both volumes combine and flow through the out port 55 and the selector valve 51 has extended and retracted positions of the spool wherein flows from the pumps 31 and 32 respectively are flowed or bypassed through the bypass conduit 57 to the reservoir 34 with the flow from the other pump flowing through the out port 55 of the selector valve 51 through a conduit 58 to a variable volume control valve 59. The selector valve 51 is operative tocontrol the speed of the boring auger 6 and the control valve 59 is operative to control the direction of rotation of said boring auger 6. The control valve 59 is an open center, three-position control valve.

The conduit 58 is connected to an in port 60 of the control valve 59 and cylinder ports 61 and 62 are connected to a hydraulic motor 63 by conduits 64 and 65 respectively. A conduit 66 connects an out port 67 of the control valve 59 for bypassing a portion of the flow to the hydraulic reservoir 34. The conduits 64, 65, and 66 cooperate to permit completely variable speeds of from zero to maximum through either of the conduits 64 or 65 for forward or reverse rotation of the boring auger 6. The selector valve 51 is operative to provide the flow from either pump 31 or 32 or the combined flow thereof (3 g.p.m. or 6 g.p.m. or 9 g.p.m.) to the control valve 59. The control valve 59 is operative to vary the speed of rotation of the boring auger 6 in each of the three speeds corresponding to the three flows delivered to the control valve 59 by selection of the amount of flow bypassed to the reservoir 34. The cooperation of the selector valve 51 and the control valve 59 permit the employment of a much smaller drive engine 30 than conventional boring apparatus while permitting a wide range of auger diameters to be employed with the earth boring apparatus 4.

The hydraulic motor 63 has a driven shaft 68 which may be directly connected to an auger drive shaft 69 through a suitable coupling (not shown), thereby providing three rotating speeds, each variable from zero to maximum in each direction. It may be desirable to provide additional rotary speeds for the auger drive shaft 69 in the form of mechanical connections between the driven shaft 68 and the auger drive shaft 69.

A plurality of drive members are mounted on the driven shaft 68 in the form of sprockets 70, 71 and 72 and a like plurality of driven members are mounted on the auger drive shaft 69 in the form of sprockets 73, 74 and 75 and are aligned with the sprockets 70, 71 and 72 respectively, thereby forming aligned pairs of driven and drive members. A power transmitting member operatively engages one of the pairs of drive and driven members with the power transmitting member being illustrated as an endless chain 76.

Each of the pairs of driven and drive members have a different mechanical advantage whereby the number of drive speeds for the auger drive shaft 69 is equal to the product of the three driving speeds furnished by the hydraulic motor 63 and the number of pairs of.aligned drive and driven members. It is desirable that the sum of teeth on each of the three aligned pairs of drive and driven sprockets be used on either set without repositioning the driven shaft 68. In the illustrated structure, sprocket has l0 teeth and sprocket 73 has 38 teeth for a total of 48. The sprocket 71 has 12 teeth, and sprocket 74 has 36 teeth for a total of 48 teeth. The sprocket 72 has l6 teeth and sprocket 75 has 32 teeth for a total of 48 teeth. The mechanical advantages are thereby 3.8 to l, 3 to l and 2 to l respectively.

It is desirable to provide spaced bearing supports for the auger drive shaft 69, therefore, a bearing housing 77 is positioned around the auger drive shaft 69 for rotatably supporting same adjacent the power source.

The boring auger 6 moves the earth or soil toward the earth boring apparatus 4 and into earth discharging means 78 which is illustrated as an elongated, cylindrical housing having an opening 79 positioned on one side of the earth boring apparatus 4. A plurality of diametrically opposed paddles 80 are mounted on the auger drive shaft 69 and rotate within the housing 78 to urge the earth or soil outwardly through the opening 79.

It may be desirable to move the earth or soil away from the earth boring apparatus 4 to permit substantially continuous operation thereof without the necessity of continual cleanup operations. Therefore, a suitable conveyor 81 may be operatively connected to the auger drive shaft 69 and positioned to receive the spoil from the opening 79. In the illustrated structure, the conveyor 81 is driven by a drive member in the form ofa sprocket 82 mounted on the auger drive shaft 69 and positioned between the earth discharge housing 78 and the bearing housing 77. An endless chain 83 engages the sprocket 82 and a driven member in the form of a sprocket 84 to move an endless conveyor belt 85 around a pair of spaced rollers 86 and 87.

In use, the elongated frame 1 is placed in the selected position and is staked down by driving stakes 15 through the apertures 14 in the stake down portions 13. The detent means 21 are disengaged from the transversely aligned pair of apertures 12 through the flanges 11 of each of the guide rails 7 and 8. The positioning or directional feed control valve 42 is actuated to extend the cylinders 18 and move the tie member 28 and supports 23 and 24 a distance equivalent to the desired length of travel of the platform 3. It is preferable when starting boring operations to position the detent means 21 adjacent the rear end of the frame 1. Therefore, the detent linkages 26 and 27 are manually moved to engage the aligned apertures 12 in the guide rails 7 and 8, thereby holding the cylinders 18 in position while the piston rods 19 are then retracted into the cylinders 18 to move the platform 3 and boring apparatus 4 thereon adjacent the rear end of the frame 1.

The boring auger 6 is suitably fastened to the auger drive shaft 69, and the selector valve 51 and control valve 59 are actuated to turn the auger 6 at the desired speed and direction. The feed control valve 42 is then actuated to feed the auger 6 into the material to be bored by operation of the piston rods 19 being extended from the fixedly held cylinders 18. The speed of the feed is controlled by the flow regulator valve 37. Near the end of the boring stroke of the piston rods 19, the detent means 21 is disengaged from the apertures 12 through the guide rails 7 and 8 and the feed control valve 42 is actuated to reverse the stroke of the extensible members 17 thereby moving the detent means 21 toward the platform 3 and boring apparatus 4. Near the end of the retracting stroke of the piston rods 19, the detent means 21 is engaged in the apertures 12 through the guide rails 7 and 8 and the feed control valve 42 is actuated to repeat the boring cycle. The spoil is pulled through the casing (not shown) into the discharge housing 78 where the paddles 80 throw it out one side or onto the conveyor 81, as previously described.

Certain Governmental regulations require that holes bored under highways, such as the interstate system, and foundations have a casing (not shown) mounted therein. lt is preferable to push the casing through the bored opening at the same time as the auger 5. Therefore, casing carriers 88 are positioned on the earth discharge housing 78 for supporting one end of the casing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified earth boring apparatus 90 which is particularly adapted for light work and the modified earth boring apparatus 90 is illustrated as a substantially portable structure.

An elongated frame 91 is formed of a pair of guide rails 92 and 93 transversely spaced and substantially parallel to provide for movement of a platform 94 therealong. The guide rails 92 and 93 are structural shapes, each having a leg or flange 95 positioned substantially parallel with a support surface 96 and each have a plurality of spaced apertures 97 extending substantially vertically therethrough to receive positioning means 98, as later described. Holddown or stakedown pads 99 are positioned adjacent opposite ends of each of the guide rails 92 and 93, each having an aperture 100 extending substantially vertically therethrough to receive a stake 101 driven into the ground or support surface 96.

The positioning means 98 are adapted to move the platform 94 along the guide rails 92 and 93 and are formed of a pair of elongated members 102 and 103, each pivotally connected to opposite sides of the platform 94 whereby when one end 104 of either of the elongated members 102 or 103 extends through the apertures 97 in the guide rails 92 or 93 respectively, movement of the other end 105 toward or away from the platform 75 moves said platform along the respective guide rail 73 or 74 while substantially simultaneous movement of the members 102 and 103 moves the platform 94 smoothly along the guide rails 92 and 93.

In the illustrated structure, a connection link 106 extends between each of the elongated members 102 and 103 and the platform 94 at opposite sides thereof. The connection link 106 is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the respective elongated members 102 and 103 and the platform 94 respectively.

In the illustrated structure, a housing 107 is mounted on the platform 94 and the links 106 are connected thereto. The housing 107 contains suitable drive means, such as a hydraulic motor 108, for rotating an auger drive shaft 109. The housing 107 also has suitable control means, in the form of control valves 110, mounted on the top thereof within easy reach of an operator (not shown). The control valves 110 are operatively connected to the hydraulic motor 108 for regulating the rotary speed and direction of rotation of the auger drive shaft 109.

In use, the control valves 110 are actuated to rotate the auger drive shaft 109 and the elongated members 102 and 103 are successively inserted into the apertures 97 through the respective guide rails 92 and 93 to walk the modified earth boring apparatus 90 forward during boring operations and to walk the boring apparatus 90 toward the rear of the elongated frame 91 to connect additional sections of boring augers (not shown).

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

lclaim:

1. An earth boring apparatus comprising:

a. an elongate frame adapted to be supported on and secured relative to a surface,

b. a platform mounted on the frame and movable longitudinally therealong,

0. platform movement means associated with said frame and platform for moving said platform along said frame,

d. an auger drive shaft rotatably mounted on said platform and having an auger connected thereto and extending longitudinally of said frame,

e. power drive means operatively connected to said auger drive shaft for rotating same,

drive control means operatively connected to said power drive means for regulating rotary speed of said auger drive shaft,

g. said power drive means including a source of hydraulic fluid and hydraulic motor means operatively connected to said auger drive shaft, flow means connecting said control means and said hydraulic motor means for flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween, said source of hydraulic fluid is a hydraulic reservoir mounted on said platform,

h, power feed means associated with said platform movement means, said power feed means being connected to said platform and selectively engageable with the frame,

. feed control means operatively connected to said power feed means for regulating travel speed of said platform along said frame,

j. said power feed means including pump means for moving hydraulic fluid to said control means, at least one extensible member mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said platform, flow means connecting said control means and said extensible member for flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween,

k. said pump means is a pair of pumps mounted on said platform, each adapted to move fluid from said reservoir to said control means,

l. said flow means connecting one of said pumps to the feed control means and regulating the travel speed of said platform,

m. said flow means connecting the other of said pumps to the drive control means and regulating the rotary speed of said auger drive shaft,

cludes a variable flow regulator valve operatively connected to said one pump, said regulator valve being adapted to pass a variable portion of the flow from said one pump and to bypass the remainder of said flow,

o. a power feed control valve operatively connected to said regulator valve for receiving said variable portion of the flow from said one pump, said control valve being adapted to actuate said extensible member for moving said platform along said frame,

p. said auger drive control means includes means for combining said variable portion and said remainder of said flow from said one pump,

q. a three volume selector valve adapted to receive said combined flow from said one pump and to receive flow from the other pump, said selector valve being operatively connected to said reservoir by bypassing a portion of the received fluid thereto and passing the remainder of the received flow to said drive means,

. a variable volume control valve operatively connected to said selector valve for receiving flow therefrom, said variable volume control valve being operatively connected to said reservoir for bypassing a selected portion of said received flow thereto, said variable volume control valve being operatively connected to said drive means.

2. The earth boring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said pumps each have a different output flow rate; and

b. said selector valve is adapted to make multiple flow selections wherein the selections include flow from said one pump and flow from said other pump and combined flow from both of said pair of pumps whereby three driving speeds are available for rotating said auger drive shaft.

3. The earth boring apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein: I

. said platform travel speed regulating control means insaid hydraulic motor means has a driven shaft extending therefrom and substantially parallel with said auger drive shaft; and power transmitting means operatively connect said motor driven shaft and said auger drive shaft for rotating said auger drive shaft.

The earth boring apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said motor driven shaft is an elongated member having a plurality of drive members mounted thereon and longitudinally spaced therealong;

said auger drive shaft is an elongated member having a like plurality of driven members mounted thereon and longitudinally spaced therealong thereby forming aligned pairs of drive and'driven members; and

. each of said aligned pairs of drive and driven members has a different mechanical advantage. An earth boring apparatus comprising:

. an elongate frame adapted to be supported on and secured relative toa surface,

. a platfonn mounted on the frame and movable longitudinally therealong,

. platform movement means associated with said frame and platform for moving said platform along said frame,

. an auger drive shaft rotatably mounted on said platform and having an auger connected thereto and extending longitudinally of said frame,

. power drive means operatively connected to said auger drive shaft for rotating same,

. drive control means operatively connected to said power drive means for regulating rotary speed of said auger drive shaft,

. power feed means associated with said platform movement means, said power feed means being connected to said platform and selectively engageable with the frame, feed control means operatively connected to said power feed means for regulating travel speed of said platform along said frame,

. said power feed means including a source of hydraulic fluid, pump means for moving said hydraulic fluid to said feed control means, at least one extensible member mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said platform, flow means connecting said feed control means and said extensible member for flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween,

said frame having a pair of transversely spaced elongate guide rails,

said guide rails each having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures therethrough,

said extensible member being an elongate hydraulic .cylinder having an elongate piston rod extendable from one end thereof and having the free end of said piston rod connected to said platform,

m. adjustable detent means fixedly engaging said cylinder ing:

and being engageable within said apertures in each of said guide rails for holding said cylinder in a fixed position while said piston rod moves said platform along said guide rails,

said detent means including a housing movably mounted on each of said guide rails, a tie member extending between said housings and secured to said hydraulic cylinder, an elongate member having opposite ends thereof rotatably supported in said respective housings, a detent linkage adjacent each of said opposite ends of said elongate member each detent linkage being engageable within said apertures through said guide rails, means as sociated with said elongate member for engaging and disengaging said detent linkages.

. The earth boring apparatus as set forth in claim 5 includcasing carrier means on said platform and movable therewith for supporting a casing and pushing same into a hole bored by said auger as the platform is moved to feed the auger into such hole.

The earth boring apparatus as set forth in claim 6 includa platform mounted on the frame and having portions engaging said guide rails, said platform being movable longitudinally of said guide rails,

. an auger drive shaft rotatably mounted on said platform and having an auger connected thereto and extending longitudinally relative said guide rails, said auger drive shaft and auger being movable longitudinally of said guide rails with said platform,

. power means mounted on the platform and including a prime mover, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a pump, said pump being operatively connected to said prime mover and driven thereby,

a hydraulic motor mounted on the platform and operatively connected to the auger shaft for driving same,

a valve controlled hydraulic circuit connecting the pump and motor for selectively driving the motor in response to operation of said pump,

. a detent member spaced from said platform and engaging within an aperture of said one guide rail to resist force applied thereto from the direction of the platform,

. propelling means between said detent member and the platform and connected thereto and operative to apply force to move the platform on the guide rails and move the auger into a hole being bored.

. An earth boring apparatus comprising:

an elongate frame adapted to be supported on and secured relative to a surface,

. a platform mounted on the frame and movable longitudinally therealong,

. platform movement means associated with said frame and platform for moving said platform along said frame,

. an auger drive shaft rotatably mounted on said platform and having an auger connected thereto and extending longitudinally of said frame,

. power drive means operatively connected to said auger drive shaft for rotating same,

. power feed means associated with said platform movement means, said power feed means being connected to said platform and selectively engageable with the frame,

. feed control means operatively connected to said power feed means for regulating travel speed of said platform along said frame,

said power feed means including a source of hydraulic fluid, pump means for moving said hydraulic fluid to said feed control means, at least one extensible member operatively connected to said platfonn, flow means connecting said feed control means and said extensible member for flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween,

. said frame having a pair of transversely spaced elongate guide rails,

. said guide rails each having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures therethrough,

. said extensible member being an elongate hydraulic cylinder having an elongate piston rod extendable from one end thereof with one of said cylinder and said piston rod connected to said platform,

. adjustable detent means connected to the other of cylinder and piston rod and engageable within said apcr tures in each of said guide rails for holding said other of said cylinder and piston rod in a fixed position for movement of said platform along said guide rails in response to extension of said extensible member,

m. said detent means including support movably mounted on said guide rails, and having a tie member connected to said other of said hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, an elongate member rotatably support on said support, detent members spaced on said elongate member, each detent member being in line with respective guide rails and engageable within said apertures through said guide rails, means associated with said elongate member for engaging and disengaging said detent members, said detent means being moved along said guide rails relative to said platform when the detent members are disengaged and in response to contraction of said extensible member.

10. An earth boring apparatus comprising:

a. an elongate frame adapted to be supported on and secured relative to a surface,

b. a platform mounted on the frame and movable longitudinally therealong,

c. platform movement means associated with said frame and platform for moving said platform along said frame,

d. an auger drive shaft rotatably mounted on said platform and having an auger connected thereto and extending longitudinally of said frame,

. power drive means operatively connected to said auger drive shaft for rotating same,

. drive control means operatively connected to said power drive means for regulating rotary speed of said auger drive shaft,

g. said power drive means including a source of hydraulic fluid and hydraulic motor means operatively connected to said auger drive shaft, flow means connecting said control means and said hydraulic motor means for flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween, said source of hydraulic fluid is a hydraulic reservoir mounted on said platform,

h. power feed means associated with said platform movement means, said power feed means being connected to said platform and selectively engageable with the frame,

i. feed control means operatively connected to said power feed means for regulating travel speed of said platform along said frame,

j. said pump means is a pump mounted on said platform and adapted to move fluid from said reservoir to said control means,

k. said flow means connecting said pump to the drive control means and regulating the rotary speed of said auger drive shaft,

. said regulating control means includes a variable flow regulator valve operatively connected to said pump, said regulator valve being adapted to pass a variable portion of the flow from said pump and to bypass the remainder of said flow,

m. said auger drive control means includes means for combining said variable portion and said remainder of said flow from said pump,

n. a three volume selector valve adapted to receive said combined flow from said pump, said selector valve being operatively connected to said reservoir by bypassing a portion of the received fluid thereto and passing the remainder of the received flow to said drive means,

0. a variable volume control valve operatively connected to said selector valve for receiving flow therefrom, said variable volume control valve being operatively connected to said reservoir for bypassing a selected portion of said received flow thereto, said variable volume control valve being operatively connected to said drive means. 

